The posting below is excerpted by permission from the “Southwinds” magazine (http://www.southwindsmagazine.com) article, “Watercraft Non Grata – Derelict Vessels,” by Dan Dickison. Many thanks to Captain Steve Morrell, “Southwinds” publisher.
As you will read, Captain Dickison describes a new South Carolina law which pertains to abandoned vessels. Let me state here and now that, while not perfect (what is), I think this is excellent legislation, which may well help prevent a proliferation of local and county anchoring regulations in South Carolina, such as those we are seeing in Florida.
Those few mariners who had thought to leave their boat unattended at anchor on South Carolina waters for months on end, think again!

“In mid-December, a law enacted by South Carolina legislators last summer came into effect, making it a crime to abandon a vessel or outboard motor on public property. Perpetrators will face fines of up to $5,000.00 and as many as 30 days in jail if convicted of this misdemeanor. Additionally, the owner of any abandoned vessel cited will have only 14 days after conviction to remove the craft and must do so at his or her own expense and risk. Of course, the law doesn’t apply to owners who abandon a vessel in an emergency, but it stipulates that they must return to the vessel after the emergency is over and ‘make a bona fide attempt to recover the watercraft.’”
“South Carolina law defines an ‘abandoned watercraft’ as any boat that has been moored, stranded, wrecked sinking or sunk and has been left unattended for more than 45 days.” As most Low Country boaters know, there are hundreds of such abandoned craft in the creeks and rivers that define this region, and a new law to address this issue seems fitting . . .”
Lt. Robert McCullough, who works in the Law Enforcement Division of the state’s Department of Natural Resources, . . . says that the objective of the law is to clear out derelict boats that have been obviously abandoned  for some time . . .”
“McCullough says that DNR will first make every attempt to identify the boat’s legal owner and contact that person. That person will be given the opportunity to remove the derelict vessel. If that doesn’t’ occur in a timely manner, say McCullough, then proceedings will be initiated . . . ‘The bottom line is that we’re trying to get these boats removed. We want to do this nicely if we can, but if not, we’ll be more aggressive.’”
For more informaton regarding the law, or to report derelict vessels in South Carolina, call the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division at (800) 922-5431.